C5 Lexia help needed.

[mickthemaverick]

This is a repeat topic as the original appears to have gone missing in the glitch over the weekend. I am hoping someone could turn off my tyre monitor for me as the car has had 2 sensors removed by the previous owner and the alarm is not only irritating but it may have the "cry wolf" effect and mask a real issue should one occur. I have pm'd some members from the Lexia help list but to no avail. I am happy to travel up to 100 miles each way to get it sorted and only too happy to get the lunch!! Please let me know if you are able and willing to help. The car is 2001 C5 Exclusive SE 2.2 HDi.
Cheers Mick

[GiveMeABreak]

Have you not considered just getting the 2 replaced and have an operational TPMS system?

The system needs all 4 sensors operating to work properly - or you will get the Tyre not Monitored warning or faults if it cannot detect one or any of the sensors.

[mickthemaverick]

Yes Marc, I have considered it but the cost is prohibitive. By the time you add the labour at the tyre fitters to the cost of the sensors, £80 each, the whole job will be not far short of £250.00, and then I'll still need the lexia to program the sensor codes to the car. Besides I have been driving for 50 years and have never needed someone or something to tell me I have a tyre problem. 25 years rallying and 20 years on bikes makes you very aware of even a slight loss of pressure, let alone a real problem. I consider the tpms to be an unnecessary and expensive complication installed "because they can" and hence I am not prepared to spend money on it!. Rant over!

[GiveMeABreak]

Right, I thought from your post you were concerned about the sensors giving a false message, so assumed you wanted it fixed!

From my perspective I find the system brilliant - more so on hydraulically suspended Citroens because the ride adaptation can of course mask some of the characteristics of a flat or deflated tyre. I had a slow leak on a front and it got to the stage where I thought the sensor might be faulty - but sure enough on checking with several different pressure gauges it was deflated by a significant amount. Each time the system has been correct and I suspect I need the valve changing.

Of course they are law now for newer vehicles, but you can get away with deactivation as it wasn't legally required back in 2001!

[mickthemaverick]

Yes sorry for that, I see how you could misinterpret my "cry wolf" comment. I meant that if I have a brake failure say, the Stop sign may already be on so I might not notice, given that I don't always read the centre screen messages, rather have my eyes on the road! I do agree about the masking the suspension could cause, but I use sport mode frequently and it is amazing how well you can feel a change of road surface like that, let alone a soft tyre!!
AS I understand the current MOT laws if the system is not fitted on a 2001 car it is fine and with sensors missing and the program dissabled I would argue that the system is not fitted!

[GiveMeABreak]

TPMS is only checked for vehicles first used on or after 1 January 2012. But the issue you may have is that if the warning lamp is obscuring any other information, the tester may not be able to check that other warning lamps like ABS or the MIL is functioning or on - so yes, you do need to disable it if that's your wish to get rid of the warning lamps.

[Leonard91]

Hi guys,i got the same problem with my 2009 c5 x7 exclusive 2.0hdi. 1 tpms is not working and 1 is leaking,is there any one who can turn them off for me? Im in essex,clacton on se but i dont want to spend another 250£ on sensors plus i just got 4 new tyres... thanks in adva ce.

[GiveMeABreak]

You do realise you have to change the valves in these every so often? There is a £5 valve kit available that you can get.

[Leonard91]

If i change them do i need to te programe or how its work? This is my first car with tpms so i have no clue how its work.

[GiveMeABreak]

On this model, the tyre monitoring sensors are fitted inside the wheels attached to the valves. They send their signals to a receiver unit fitted in the car and this sends the data to the BSI and to the display systems. They each have a battery in the sensor that can last anywhere up to 10-15 years.

When you have tyres replaced without the sensors they replace the valves, but with TPMS systems, the valves can last quite a long time. Eventually they will need replacing as air will start to leak out (with the kit I mentioned from Citroen), that can be done by a competent mechanic or tyre fitting place.

So depends on what the problem is - what message are you getting on the display?

[Leonard91]

Im getting the L/F tyre not monitored. I just bought 4 new tyres but still waiting on them,thats the reason im asking what should i do.

[GiveMeABreak]

Well it's up to you what you want to do. Either you can find the problem and fix it or locate somebody willing to deactivate the system for you.

Your options are pretty limited regarding repairs - the faulty one may either need to be paired again to the vehicle using a suitable diagnostic kit, or replaced needing pairing and activating, or get it disabled using the same. Luckily this won't be an MOT failure for you as they were not mandatory for vehicles registered prior to 1/12/2012.

Here is a list of members with Lexia kits and a Google map at the bottom showing members locations. If you find somebody near you, click on their name in the list back on the Forum and send them a private message.

List of Lexia Owners

[Leonard91]

Thank you so much for help and respond. This is the first forum im getting help. Thanks.